Re: Anyone out there using Firetide, Strix, or Mesh Dynamics?

There is nothing inherently wrong with mesh, provided it is deployed with two or more radios for the backhaul.

Based on real-world tests, the deployment density needs to be high. The usual operational density in deployments so far is ~150 unit per square mile. The Strix units are about $3,300 each so that translates into $450K per square mile, plus OPEX.

Tempe, AZ allowed a Strix installation...which subsequently failed (although not because of the Strix gear, per se). Operational costs far exceeded the estimates. What caught my eye was this:

quote:Tempe asked the jury to award rent at the rate of $450 per pole per month or $300,000 per month for the six month period that CCC was actively trying to sell the Wi-Fi equipment installed on Tempe's poles. The jury verdict awarded Tempe 100 percent of the rent requested in addition to ownership of the system.

Ouch...!

Mesh may or may not be the best choice. There are other alternatives to ubiquitous wifi if the operational intent and requirements allow it.--Nothing makes an American want to do something more than telling them they can't.

We walked from that project when the city wanted several thousand free passwords and 1-2 hours of free use per day for users. They also wanted us to pay for pole use per month but it was less than $20. Apparently the companies that signed contracts with them hadn't figured out how to use a spreadsheet.